Mercury in the Environment

Fish Consumption Recommendations

The Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Nevada Division of Environmental protection, and the Division of Public and Behavioral Health (formerly Nevada State Health Division) have been working together to identify potential health risks to the public through monitoring methylmercury in fish from around the state.

Nevada lakes, reservoirs, ponds, rivers, and streams contain mercury, which is converted into methylmercury by bacteria in the sediments. Methylmercury eventually moves up through the food chain to the top predatory fishes where it can concentrate in their muscle tissue. Generally, larger, older fish concentrate more mercury than smaller ones.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife collects sport fish species from fishing waters at sizes typically caught and eaten by anglers. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection works with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide mercury analysis of these fish. From the information collected, the Division of Public and Behavioral Health recommends not consuming certain fish species from seven northern Nevada waters due to elevated mercury levels. These include:

No consumption of any fish from Carson River from Dayton to the Lahontan Dam and all water in the Lahontan Valley.

No consumption of white bass from Little and Big Washoe lakes.

No consumption of wipers and walleye from Rye Patch Reservoir.

No consumption of walleye from Chimney Dam Reservoir.

No consumption of largemouth bass and northern pike from Comins Lake.

The bottom line is that Nevadans should feel free to enjoy fishing in the state's waters and to enjoy fish they catch as an important and healthy part of their diet. When fishing in waters where no fish consumption recommendations are in effect, pregnant women, nursing mothers and children should limit their consumption of fish, eat smaller fish (rather than larger ones), or practice catch-and-release. Please see links below for more information regarding fish in your diet and health impacts from eating fish containing mercury.

Meal Size

An adult meal size is considered to be 8-ounces of fish meat, about the size of two decks of cards. Children should eat smaller, age-appropriate amounts. Click on the links below* for advice for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children and fish consumption in general.

Consider how much fish from all sources (caught and purchased) that you are likely to eat in a month and follow the recommendations accordingly. Space your meals of fish evenly during the month when eating fish that have consumption recommendations. For example, the consumption recommendation for brown trout from the Carson River near the Bryant Creek confluence is 8-meals per month. This should be spaced out to 2-meals per week, rather than eating the entire 8-meals in a few days time. Removing the skin does not decrease the amount of mercury in the edible portions.

Click on one of the regions (Western, Southern, Eastern) below to find the recommended consumption rate of fish from a water that you may be fishing. Consumption rates are in accordance with EPA guidelines (see EPA Publication: EPA 823-B-00-008, November 2000; Guidance for Assessing Chemical Contaminant Data for Use in Fish Advisories. Vol. 2: Risk Assessment and Fish Consumption Limits, 3rd Edition. Table 4-3.)